Publications by authors named "Nicholas Bellas"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates how the Zadek osteotomy (ZO) affects the biomechanics of the Achilles tendon and surrounding structures in cadaveric specimens with insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT).
  • - Results show that after ZO, the Haglund prominence moved forward, the Achilles tendon insertion shifted upward, and retrocalcaneal pressure significantly decreased.
  • - Despite these changes, the strain on the Achilles tendon did not show significant alterations, suggesting the ZO effectively relieves pressure without greatly affecting tendon strain.
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The purpose of this study was to use a large claims database to determine if there is a difference in opioid use after operative intervention for proximal humerus fractures in patients with known cannabis use compared with those who do not report cannabis use. The PearlDiver database was queried to find all patients who underwent proximal humerus open reduction and internal fixation. A group of patients with reported cannabis use or dependence was matched to a cohort without known cannabis use.

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Case: Implant failure after unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a rare but well-described complication in the arthroplasty literature. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding rapid catastrophic failure of modern implant designs. This is a case report of 2 patients with early catastrophic failure of the tibial baseplate after UKA with a Stryker Restoris MultiCompartmental Knee System implant using Mako robotic assistance, both requiring revision to total knee arthroplasty.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study explores the use of ischial screws in total hip arthroplasty (THA) to enhance the stability and integration of acetabular components, while addressing the technical challenges of their placement.
  • - Researchers conducted a review and analyzed 27 CT scans to establish a "safe zone" for ischial screw placement, using established anatomical references for guidance during surgery.
  • - Results showed specific angles and positions for safe screw insertion relative to the anterior superior iliac spine and acetabulum, aiding surgeons in improving procedure safety and outcomes.
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Background: Recently, there has been increasing legalization of marijuana within the United States, however data are mixed with respect to its efficacy in treating acute pain. Our goal was to identify a difference in opioid utilization in patients with known cannabis use before anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) compared with those that report no cannabis use.

Methods: This study was a retrospective case-control design using PearlDiver.

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Case: A 29-year-old woman presented with bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by bilateral flexor digitorum accessorius longus, experiencing immediate relief of symptoms after surgical intervention through 1 year.

Conclusion: Accessory muscles can cause compressive neuropathies in multiple areas of the body. In patients who have FDAL as the cause of their tarsal tunnel syndrome, surgeons should have a high index of suspicion of bilateral FDAL if the same patient develops similar contralateral symptoms.

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Purpose: To report the clinical outcomes after biologically augmented rotator cuff repair (RCR) with a fibrin scaffold derived from autologous whole blood and supplemented with concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) harvested at the proximal humerus.

Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR with biologic augmentation using a fibrin clot scaffold ("Mega- Clot") containing progenitor cells and growth factors from proximal humerus BMA and autologous whole blood between April 2015 and January 2018 were prospectively followed. Only high-risk patients in primary and revision cases that possessed relevant comorbidities or physically demanding occupation were included.

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Background Context: Lumbosacral fixation is commonly used for the management of lumbosacral instability. As the sacrum mainly consists of cancellous bone, bicortical fixation, in which the pedicle screw penetrates the anterior sacral cortex, can help increase the strength of fixation. However, this method carries a risk to the L5 nerves which lie anterior to the sacrum at this level.

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Purpose: To clinically evaluate patients who underwent a biologic augmentation technique in revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using an autologous fibrin scaffold and concentrated stem cells isolated from bone marrow aspirate (BMA) obtained from the proximal humerus.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent biologic augmentation of revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using an autologous fibrin scaffold and BMA obtained from the proximal humerus between 2014 and 2015. Minimum follow-up was 12 months.

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Unsatisfactory failure rates following rotator cuff (RC) repair have led orthopaedic surgeons to explore biological augmentation of the healing enthesis. The subacromial bursa (SB) contains abundant connective tissue progenitor cells (CTPs) that may aid in this process. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of patient demographics and tear characteristics on the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) and nucleated cell count (NCC) of SB-derived CTPs.

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Purpose: To compare the cellular viability and differentiation potential of subacromial bursa-derived cells (SBDCs) located over the rotator cuff muscle and tendon of patients undergoing primary versus revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).

Methods: Subacromial bursa was harvested from 18 primary (57.1 ± 4.

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Purpose: To classify subacromial bursal tissue using intraoperative and in vitro characteristics from specimens harvested during arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Methods: Subacromial bursa was harvested over the rotator cuff from 48 patients (57 ± 10 years) undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Specimens were characterized intraoperatively by location (over rotator cuff tendon or muscle), tissue quality (percent of either fatty or fibrous infiltration), and vascularity before complete debridement.

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Purpose: To compare the potency of mesenchymal stem cells between the cells derived from the subacromial bursa to concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) taken from patients undergoing rotator cuff (RC) repair.

Methods: Subacromial bursa and cBMA were harvested arthroscopically from 13 patients (age 57.4 ± 5.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hip fractures primarily affect frail elderly patients, and preoperative specialty consults are often sought for risk assessment before surgery.
  • A study involving 491 patients showed that most specialty consults provided only minor recommendations, and those who received consults experienced longer wait times for surgery and longer hospital stays.
  • The findings suggest that these consults might not provide significant benefits and could even increase complications by delaying necessary surgical treatment, unless the patient requires intensive management.
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Background: Patient-reported outcome measures serve as an invaluable tool in both the clinical and research setting to monitor a patient's condition and efficacy of treatments over time. We aim to validate the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score for disorders of the lower extremity using the revised-Foot Function Index (rFFI) as a reference. The SANE score is a 1-question survey that may improve efficiency of outcome data collection in the clinical setting.

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External iliac artery endofibrosis is a rare disease predominantly affecting young, elite male athletes. This case involves a 33-year-old female triathlete who presented initially with lower extremity claudication during training. After completing a triathlon 1 year later, the patient experienced acute-onset pain in both legs.

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Caffeine, one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive substances in the world, has long been known to alter neurological functions, such as alertness, attention, and memory. Despite caffeine's popularity, systematic investigations of its effects on synaptic plasticity in the brain are still lacking. Here we used a freely behaving rodent model of long-term potentiation (LTP), a frequently studied form of synaptic plasticity, to assess the effects of caffeine consumption on hippocampal plasticity.

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Objective: To undertake a prospective/retrospective comparison of longer-term oncologic and quality of life outcomes in open radical prostatectomy (ORP) or robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) patients.

Materials And Methods: The clinical progression of ORP and RALP patients who underwent surgery during 2004 was followed over an extended (10 year) period. Pre- and perioperative parameters, oncologic outcomes, recurrence, mortality, and quality of life were compared between surgical modalities.

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As part of a process improvement initiative, we designed, implemented, and assessed the impact of pre-surgical education classes for patients scheduled to undergo robotic prostatectomy. Our aim was to both enhance patient access to important procedural information related to their surgery, and also limit the need for the repeated dissemination of information during patient calls to the office.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Nicholas Bellas"

  • Nicholas Bellas's recent research primarily focuses on the biomechanical and clinical implications of orthopedic procedures, highlighting innovations in surgical techniques and their outcomes, particularly concerning tendon and bone health.
  • His studies investigate the effects of interventions like the Zadek osteotomy on Achilles tendon mechanics and the use of cannabis as a potential adjunct for reducing opioid prescriptions post-surgery.
  • Additionally, Bellas's work includes case reports and evaluations surrounding complications in knee and hip surgeries, aiming to establish safer surgical practices and improve postoperative recovery for patients with specific risk factors.